What's Been Cookin in the New Year?

Maple Pecan Cinnamon Rolls- a twist on Pioneer Woman's recipe

Take a favorite pasta dish and

crack a few eggs on top. Bake in

over for about 10 minutes and

amazing! On this one we also 

added some mozzarella  & basil.

Thomas loves to make pulled pork. And everyone in my family loves to EAT the pulled pork, so he makes it almost once a month for Sunday family dinners. We cook a few pork butts in our dutch oven very slowly during the day, with Thomas's special rub mixture and onion. We then make enough to have it for several dinners throughout the week. The other night we made pulled pork nachos and they were to die for. We had it with green chili and bacon corn chowder (perfect on a cold weather/sweatpants type of day.)

 

         We love us some pulled pork tacos

 One time we had it in grilled cheeses with jalapenos, pickles, bbq sauce, and a variety of cheese. Oh my! Mule and your "Macaroni Pony" sandwich, step aside! I also roasted some tomatoes and made a roasted tomato basil soup. I guess I like soups with pulled pork.

I LOVE asian food (probably bc the variety of delicious sauces) and I love to make potstickers. I knock two birds out with one stone and use the same ingredients to make them into wontons for wonton soup as well. This time I tried to make it a bit healthier AND more convienient since I had it in my fridge- but I used turkey instead of pork. It was still pretty tasty!

Wonton soup and edamame

What I call "Winter salad" which is basically kale, roasted butternut squash, avocado, candied walnuts, and goat cheese. With the way to Thomas's heart- baked potato soup.  

Butternut squash curry soup, made with leftover butternut squash from above salad. Serve topped with a dabble of greek yogurt, parsley, and warm wheat pita.

Super food salad- quinoa (love love love this) with kale, edamame, mango, tomato, and avocado. Served with baked chicken.

 Our favorite salad- beets, goat cheese, blood orange, and candied walnuts. Inspired by salad of Wolfgang Puck

 I am not a great food photographer, but wanted to post this ugly pic because I want to remember the recipe. Inspired by Giada's show- her halibut with artichoke and olive caponata (the sauce was unbelievable) and her orzo with mint salmoriglio sauce. I just added some spinach, kale, and used wheat orzo. It was literally one of those days where I watched her show, she made both of these things and I immediately went to the store and copied her.

Seared scallops- we make them for every special occasion. For Valentine's Day I did a lemon white wine sauce and capers.



When I was first pregnant I couldn't stand the smell or taste of fish. I got back to my senses when at Paseo Grill with my family and Bailey ordered a salmon with a picatta-like sauce, mashed potatos, and green beans. Thomas made the most AMAZING mashed potatoes I'd ever had- with goat cheese and rosemary, and made me ones with sweet potatoes. MMmmmmm



Growing

This is a few weeks ago on Ash Wednesday (hence the ash on my forehead.) I was 21 weeks and getting LARGE. An updated pic coming soon. It's hard to take "selfies" bc I never want a pic of just me!

The frame Adriane got us. Love our little babe in it.

2013

I wanted to post some pics of what we've been up to in this new year. Besides the obvious craziness of having a baby , we've stayed pretty busy with work, working out, cooking, looking for a house (still), and spending time with friends while we can so freely/pre-baby. Since the new year Thomas has been working out before work and during his lunch breaks. I'm so proud that his health check at work improved dramatically in the last few months, all because of consistent exercise! We've always eaten healthy during the week and splurged on the weekends, so that has stayed the same. My pregnancy hunger has really kicked in the last 3 weeks, however, and I am craving sweets all the time, along with any other food in sight. Luckily I have been able to walk my dogs frequently and do Barre 3 (which I LOVE) several times a week to try to compensate for the amount of sumo wrestler behavior hunger I've had recently. 

Kicking off the New Year with an awesome party at the top of the Devon tower that my parents hosted with several friends/family. Once I FINALLY found a dress that fit me in this "awkward stage," we had a blast. This is when I finally started feeling better, so I was actually able to stay out late, dance, and have a good time!

  

Nana's 85th birthday! She requested T and I's Italian meal (which is my mother-in-law's recipe of meatballs and suga.) Mom made lemon cake and Amanda made her famous lemon cream cheese icing. Love that Nana!

It has been unusually pretty weather in January/February, so I've been able to spend time walking with the pups, which they love more than anything... except bacon. We took them to Hafer Park and hiked around the trails for an hour and it was lovely.

Amanda and Kevin got a new pup, Brody. The cutest little fluff you've ever seen. Luckie's new best friend (because he doesn't know his size and loooooves little dogs.)